Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-11-10
won.

She crept into the house and up to her
room unobserved, and when her father came
to see why she did not come down to dinner
that woman's blessed boon in the way of ex-
cuse, a headache, pleaded for her
The next day Nine. De Hoirville came to
see them just as they had returned from a
drive Julia had come with the intention of
pleading Raymond's cause in his demand for
the hand of Mile. Forney. Raymond had
driven her over, but had not attempted to
enter the house; but as NJ Forney stepped
forward to receive Nine. De NoirvilIe. Raw
mond sprang to the side of Suzanne, who re-
ceived him with a GOODNESS so marked that he
drew back in alarm. His eyes questioned her
in vain for the cause of this sudden change.
He thought:
'She must have awakened and resented
such a liberty, What shall dola
"Oh, mademoiselle, pardon me, implore .
'In what have you offended that You asls
my pardonln said she, more coldly aud
haughtily, if possible, than before.
II thought feared-that was unhapny
enough to have in some way vexed you.p
"You are Mistaken" said she, bowling. and
leaving him speechless.
Raymond managed to make a sign to his
mother, begging her to say nothing to NJ.
Forney ON the subject so near his heart, and
their conversation was therefore on ordinary
topics, and they soon took their leave.
1t would be too much to say thar Suzanne
regretted her severity, but it is very sure that
her heart ached heavily all the time, and She
lost color and spirit, SO much so as to sari
ously disquiet her father, who feared that she
was i'll, but she declared herself perfectly
we'll
swell, do you feel contented here? Would
you like to go away, to Paris or any other
placel Yon have only to say what you wish,
you know, my child, to find me willing.n
II am perfectly happy here, father,n she
replied, "and like this quiet, peaceful exist
ence far better than ] would a gayer place.
So say no more, pray YOU
The real reason that she did not wish to
leave her present home for Paris was that she
knew that Raymond's vacation ended very
soon, and that he then would be near her
there, following her at every turn, and here
she would be Free
Summer passed all too swiftly, and autumn
came with its gorgeous beauty Of coloring
and its wealth of harvest, and October had
nearly gone. Already the nights were cold
and frosty, though the days were bright and
ounHlY anu DuLttlA1lb hftilUGEeu ABOUT Their
park and even into the forest beyond, as if
she hunted her lost peace of mind. Her young
heart was heavy with unshed tears. but
though she knew she loved Raymond, she
had been through such awful and strange ex-
periences that she was matured far beyond
her age, and her reason and knowledge OF the
past taught her that love or marriage with
an honorable man with en- untarnished name
was not for her; that fate had ordered that
her life should be passed alone
One day as she sat on faIlcn tree abCorbed
in these thoughts, her tears fell unheeded
upon her cheeks for her withered youth and
lonely future which fathers love could
now never fill, and she though she heard a
step behind her.
She knew so well who was there that she
did not even turn her head, but by a supreme
effort of viii conquered her agitation and her
face wore mask of scorn and naughty dis
dain as Raymond came in front Of her and
joining his hands exclaimed:
Suzanne, Suzanne have pity on metz
"You can have nothing to say to me that
wish to hear. l beg, therefore, you win per-
init me to pass
mo; this life is intolerablel You treat me
as if | were the veriest wretch Oh earth 1t is
not so that an honest mans love should be
trampled upon"
Il do not know what you refer TO- I simply
find your attentions distasteful, and | wish to
make you SO understand. As you seem to be
unable to understand actions | am obliged to
tell you so"
She wished to pass him, but he stepped in
front of her, saying:
"You shall not 60 until you have heard
me-"
"Your action makes me but the more posi-
tive that have done right in refusing to
speak to you. Since you threaten me, | re-
gard you as a coward"
$50 be it, am a coward.
She recoiled little before Raymond, who
seemed no longer to be able to control him
self. But behind her was the ravine, with its
abrupt and stony bank, so that she could not
escape him that way without danger. and she
turned to him, saying angrily:
IF you make one step toward me l shall
throw myself down.
Suzanne, pity you"
"Mel You pity me?n
eyes, for you must love me well to treat
me in this manner You must have some
reason why you do not want-not dare ac-
cept my love, and thus try to hide your own.
| feel now what have never dared hope
you do love me-"
"You are utterly mistaken; l do not love
you. Inever did, never shall, and your love
is an offense to me-"
"Suzannei you are very hard, very cruel.
Listen. Impose upon me any condition you
think necessary. However hard it may be
will accept
Still no answer.
"Then there remains but one thing for me,
and that is death | cannot live without
hope, without your love. Adieu, Suzanne,
May you be happy"
And the young man, in half demented
condition, raised the muzzle of bis gun end
placed it against his heart, both barrels
loaded, and before Suzanne could speak
raised his boot to strike the triggers. Suzanne
sprang forward involuntarily and caught the
muzzle. turning it slightly, so that the two
charges whzzed by her head and the powder
burned her dress
Her heart melted. One second more and
he would have been lying a corpse at her feet,
and, forgetting all that had seemed TO her
such potent reasoning, She sank to her former
seat, powerless and faint.